Adrian Peterson has been where Indianapolis Colts veteran receiver Reggie Wayne finds himself: in the midst of a comeback from a serious knee injury.

The Minnesota Vikings running back anticipates Wayne following his lead.

"My expectations of Reggie Wayne (are) for him to come back and be just as good or even better,'' Peterson said in a conference call for Hyperice, a device he used in his recovery after tearing two ligaments in his left knee at the end of the 2011 season.

"Why I say that is he's now in a position where age is a factor, or so they say. He has something to prove.''

While making the rounds on local radio shows Tuesday, Wayne announced he's ahead of schedule and expects to gain medical clearance to return to football activities April 25 and be ready for the start of training camp in late July. The Colts open their offseason conditioning program April 21.

Even before the season-ending injury, Wayne seemingly faced steep odds on maintaining a level of excellence that resulted in six Pro Bowl selections. He had eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau in eight of nine seasons prior to the injury, and ranks second in club history with 1,006 receptions, 13,566 yards and 80 touchdowns.

However, only 12 receivers in NFL history have compiled a 1,000-yard season after their 35th birthdays. Just three reached that level at 36 or older. Wayne, whose contract expires at the end of the 2014 season, turns 36 Nov. 17.

All of that, insisted Peterson, should motivate Wayne.

"I don't really know Reggie Wayne like that. I've been around him a couple of times," Peterson said. "Just being a fan of his game and his work, I would hope he has a mindset that, 'Hey, this is a challenge for me. I'm gonna work hard and I'm gonna come back and be better than I was before.'

"But I know it's going to take a lot of hard work. Just proving what he's been able to do over the years that (at) 36 I don't see it being too much of a challenge for him."

Peterson set the bar incredibly high for bouncing back from major knee surgery after he tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee in December 2011. He was on the field for the Vikings' 2012 regular-season opener and went on to rush for 2,097 yards — 9 shy of breaking Eric Dickerson's NFL record — and earn the NFL's Most Valuable Player award.

Preseason schedule

A home game against quarterback Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints to air on CBS highlights the Colts' preseason schedule, released today.

The Colts will play host to New Orleans in a nationally-televised game on Aug. 23 that should feature the most extensive play for key players. The third preseason game is traditionally viewed as a true dress rehearsal for NFL teams, and the matchup could be a particularly revealing test for the Indianapolis defense as it tries to show improvement from 2013.

Dates and times for all games have not been finalized. The full regular-season schedule is expected to be released later this month.